Paul Lambert accepts that Christian Benteke’s value has rocketed with his form for Aston Villa this season, but has no intention of cashing in on the powerful young striker.

The Villa manager can understand people drawing comparisons between the Belgium forward and Didier Drogba, before the game away to Chelsea tomorrow, but is adamant that the striker, who has scored eight goals in all competitions for Villa, is integral to his plans.

Benteke, 22, was signed from Genk at the end of the transfer window in August for a fee that has already risen to £8 million, and he has